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Frank D'Andrea is the owner and trainer of D'Andrea Professional Dog Training located in Suffern, New York. His dog training dates back to 1987 where is worked with Dominic LaBrutto, a long time dog trainer in New Jersey. D'Andrea is a graduate of the Academy of Canine Education in Fresh Meadows, New York where he was taught by Anthony Jerone, one of New York's most renowned dog trainers. Frank is a proud member of the IACP and the ADPT associations and also volunteers for the Triboro Animal Welfare. His goal has always been results through training, and commitment to the dog. | |
| Jul 31 Written by:DPFrank
Thursday, July 31, 2008  Q: My roommate and I adopted a four-year-old German Shepherd/Akita mix, Gypsy, from the humane society. She's got some little quirks but she learns quickly. The problem lies in my three-year-old German Shepherd, Riza. I've had Riza since she was a pup. I have a tendency to rescue strays or take in dogs other people neglect or don't want, and strive to give them a new home. Riza has seen many dogs come and go in her three years. A year ago I took in a food/toy aggressive German Shepherd. While this dog now has a good home (awareof her 'quirks') she unfortunately seemed to teach Riza to be aggressive about her food.
Within a few days of bringing home Gypsy, Riza attacked her when she got too close to her food bowl. Riza and Gypsy get along great otherwise; we feed them separately and keep them apart when we aren't with them. Unfortunately, yesterday, they got into a fight -- one second they are standing in the middle of the room, the next they are at each others’ throats. Neither fight ended with severe injuries; it seems that Riza either isn't trying to hurt Gypsy, or simply can't, for whatever reason. And Gypsy, frightened by the sudden attack, defends herself with force. Neither will back down, they have to be pulled apart.
I need help with trying to figure out how to at least tone down Riza's food possessiveness. Riza is not even a little bit aggressive towards me or other people with her food/toys. I trained her from a young age to let me take things from her without incident. A friend of mine has three young kids who love playing with Riz and they are always tugging on her ear or tail, or taking her toys to throw them, or even playing in Riza's food whiles she's trying to eat and she tolerates it handsomely.
Some important things you may need to know: Gypsy is spayed, Riza is not. I had hoped to someday breed Riza, she has a lot of qualities that would do well to be passed on and she is of show quality. I will spay her, though, if you believe it will help.
Gypsy does really well around other dogs, though she is a bit pushy. She tends to 'poke' other dogs relentlessly to get them to play with her. More than once Riza's growled a little to get her to stop. It only works for a second then Gypsy's back to poking her.
Gypsy was raised as an outside dog by her previous owner, and while we don't know much more than that, we do think she was neglected. Gypsy is definitely Akita. While her looks are more Shepherd, her personality and bark are far more like an Akita. Riza is a very active GSD. She stresses easily, though the only way you can tell is her frantic panting.
I realize I could write a book on both dogs and you still would not know them well enough to really be able to help without meetings them. But any advice you give me would be of great assistance to me. I have no idea how to prevent Riza from being food possessive.
A: Ok, lots to swallow here (no pun intended). First, all dogs should be fed separately never allowing them to sniff each others’ food bowls. Next, pick up all toys. We need to remove the triggers that make them aggressive. Are your dogs obedience trained? If you don’t command respect from the dogs, you cannot effectively correct/ manage behavioral problems. Forget the breeding. Leave breeding to the professionals. There is only one reason to breed -- to make the breed better. Your considerations include health, knees hips etc, has your dog been x-rayed? And of course, is she the right size, weight, correct features for the breed, etc.? If no to any, why not get the dog fixed?
Tags: 6 comments so far...
Re: Food Aggression
My thoughts on this : first of all, be gentle on Riza..she was there first..you said she stresses easily..I would work with Gypsy in obedience classes. Also, I wouldn't let her pester Riza. Give Riza her space to relax .. When Gypsy starts poking Riza, I would redirect her to another activity .. I really think Riza is doing well with all the activity you and your roommate have on a daily basis. How about taking Gypsy for a walk when she starts poking Riza? That would give Riza some time to herself too.
By FourPiggies on
Friday, August 01, 2008
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Re: Food Aggression
I have had this issue with Jasmine, since she was VERY young. Have never been able to stop it. Other dogs, house cats, whatever. She's never gone without feeding, you can tell by seeing her LOL. I have never been able to figure this out.
It really worries me if something were to happen to me and someone else took her, that they might hurt her for this.
On the other hand, I have Gustaves, who was a three month old rescue, when I took him, he had been starved near to death, and beaten and broken and spent days at the Vets on fluids before I could even bring him home, yet he has NO issue at all like this. He shares, even with the cats where we are staying temporarily.
I am anxious to keep reading posts to this thread. Jasmine is so old now, I am not sure I could ever change this behavior.
She's so bad that if feeding around any other animals, I have to stand in the room btwn them. I now feed her seperately, outside by herself for safety sake.
I have tried so many ideas, to no avail, so I have thurned to this outdoor feeding.
Sure hope more pet parents reply to this post as I am very interested.
GOOD LUCK with Riza and Gypsy, hope you can find the right answer that works for them!
By Spearit on
Friday, August 01, 2008
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Re: Food Aggression
Spay Riza. Hormones only aggrevate a situation.
By BOSCMOM on
Friday, August 01, 2008
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Re: Food Aggression
Well, one thing, never feed your dogs together or while they are loose. Always feed one inside and one out. Or have crates or seperate rooms.
Spaying will not fix this problem!
I NEVER FEED THEM FROM SAME BOWL OR IN SAME ROOM
It is natural for dog to compete for food and they shouldn't have to
They are no longer in the wild. And that's what wild dogs do. The one with the highest pack order eats first. So the fighting around food is what they are doing. Getting their pack order.
I lock one dog in cage, one eats in the laundry room, one eats his in his cage in another.
If they act up when in the kitchen around some extra tid bits then they don't get any.
By matthews3662 on
Saturday, August 02, 2008
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Re: Food Aggression
We also got a dog from the rescue and she is a big 85 marshmellow.
But, she tries to act bad when she's around her bowl. And that's why she eats in her cage. Cause she does not have a back bone, my shepherd will hurt her. the little one is a 8 year old Boston and my shepherd would eat his food cause she is bigger and she is the leader. The bull mastiff has a sweet temperment and is not the leader. So, they all have their place.
but the mastiff probaly had to compete to eat because she was skinny when we got her.
Just don't feed in same room , the outside thing is fine and is way safe for all.
By matthews3662 on
Saturday, August 02, 2008
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Re: Food Aggression
Riza seems to be giving Gypsy a warning or correction but Gypsy's not getting it. I always make every dog sit and stay until I tell them it's OK to eat. You need to be in control and stay in the room to make sure they don't wander to the wrong bowl. Be sure to feed the calmest one first. After a couple of days or weeks (as long as they see you as the one in charge) you won't need to supervise anymore.
Breeding is a lot of work. I wouldn't recommend it especially since you are having control issues. Just imagine having a whole litter.
By Steve on
Saturday, September 06, 2008
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| There are many approaches to train dogs. My philosophy is simple, Be fair and respect the dog’s intelligence. Whichever way you teach a dog, make sure they are clear on what you are teaching them, be consistent with rules and follow through if they don’t comply. Correcting behavior problems must start with basic training.
We must have a line of communication with the dog, respect and control. This comes from training. Dogs learn by trial and error, repetition and consistency on our part. Dogs are extremely intelligent. We need to respect them, help them stay out of trouble, and stimulate them both mentally as well as physically through exercise and training.
Frank D’Andrea is the dog trainer for DP Dog training in the New York, New Jersey area. He can always be reached at www.dpdogtraining.com | |
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